AVOID GRADING AN AUTHOR'S SOCIAL MEDIA STATUS

August 2, 2015 By Rob Eagar 

When I was in college, my initial major was landscape design and architecture. For some strange reason, I had visions of designing golf courses with fancy clubhouses around the world. But, my dream was crushed as a sophomore student when I was graded on our biggest project of the year. I was given the task to design the structure and landscaping for a new county library near the college. Each of the six professors in my department would assign a grade.

When the big day arrived to receive our grades, I was stunned. One of the six professors gave me a failing grade of D, while another professor gave me a quite positive grade of B+. Likewise, my scores from the other four professors were all over the place. I remember feeling bewildered by the wide range of subjective marks. I couldn’t tell from the inconsistent grades whether I really good or really bad. That event dislodged my faith in the schools’ architectural program so much that I dropped out and switched my major to marketing – where all of the grades were a lot more objective.

I share this story as an analogy to the way I see too many publishers assigning dubious grades to authors based on their social media following. They judge authors based on the numbers they see online. For instance, I’ve sat in several meetings with literary agents, acquisitions editors, and marketing directors who ask misguided questions, such as:

• Is this author on Facebook and Twitter?
• How many followers do they have?
• How often does the author post and do they get many shares and retweets?

Making acquisitions and marketing decisions based on an author’s social media popularity is like assigning grades to students based on their accent or physical attractiveness. It’s subjective and largely unrelated to the actual skill set needed to succeed.

There is little correlation between the amount of Facebook followers an author displays and the amount of actual book buyers they generate. Here are three reasons why:

1. An author could have thousands of followers, but not one of whom might actually purchase, since they are only following that author for the time being because it’s free.

2. Social media followers can easily be bought and faked. I’ve seen authors plant their Facebook account with thousands of “followers” purchased on Ebay.com and other sites. There are also free apps, such as StatusPeople, which let you see the amount of fake and inactive Twitter followers in someone’s account.

3. A recent study by McKinsey Consulting revealed that email is 40 times more effective than all social media combined at acquiring new customers. In light of this study, I still hear publishers rave about how their placing more and more importance on social media.

Convincing someone to buy a book is a subjective process, which will never change. Yet, we have access to so much objective data about what works and what doesn’t. The question is if we’re willing to acknowledge the objective data and ignore the subjective social media hype.

Informed publishers should focus greater concentration on numbers that reveal more substance to an author’s platform. I recommend these four:

1. Email list and performance
The size of an author’s email list is a better number to objectively grade an author’s marketing skills. It’s one thing to get someone to “like” something on Facebook. It’s a bigger challenge to create content that leads people to voluntarily register for an email list and consistently open the emails that they receive. And, just as a reminder, email has been shown to be 40 times better than social media.

2. Monthly website visitorsSocial media numbers can be easily faked. But, an author’s website traffic tends to be a more legitimate number. Google Analytics is free and makes it easy for authors to run reports and provide this data. At the very least, publishers should request information from authors on the amount of monthly unique sessions, users, and page views to their site. In addition, ask for reports that show traffic going from the present back to the past 18 months. Don’t just look at the present numbers, look at how the author is trending.

3. Speaking schedule or webinar participantsAuthors who get face-to-face with their readers tend to be better marketers than those who camp out behind their computer screen. Ask authors to provide a history and upcoming itinerary of speaking engagements and booksigning events. Online webinars and webcasts can also provide indications of an author’s presentation prowess and audience size. Ask for figures regarding the amount of webinar frequency per year and average number of participants.

4. Previous sales historyBuilding email lists, generating web traffic, and attracting speaking engagements are key skills. But, they are still distinct from actually selling books. Some authors know how to work hard, but not smart. They generate a lot of activity, but it doesn’t transfer into actual book sales. Most publishers wisely check an author’s past sales history using BookScan (authors can check their own BookScan numbers using Amazon’s Author Central account). An author’s sales history can be the most objective numbers available and should be given important weight.

If you feel nosy asking authors for details about their platform, for crying out loud, remember your offering someone a legal book contract and take a big financial risk. A little due-diligence helps bring much-needed clarity to the decision.

Publishers should avoid assigning subjective grades to authors based on their dubious social media popularity. Instead, publishers can make better decisions by reviewing the four types of objective data described above. This information provides a better picture of an author’s marketing skills. It also gives a clearer sense of what an author has done in the past and what they’re doing at the moment.

Armed with the proper data, publishers can peer into the future with more certainty and envision an author’s capability when the critical book launch day arrives. And, that’s a day you want every author to get passing grades!

- See more at: http://www.startawildfire.com/2015/08/publishers-grading-author-social-media.html#sthash.xoQSMK52.dpuf

About Rob Eagar
Rob Eagar is the founder of WildFire Marketing, a consulting practice that helps authors, businesses, and non-profit organizations spread their message like wildfire. He has consulted with numerous publishing houses, non-profits, and trained over 400 authors, including several New York Times bestsellers. Rob is the author of "Sell Your Book Like Wildfire," which is considered the bible of book marketing. Find out more at: WildFire Marketing. You can follow Rob on Twitter and connect with him at: Google+ or email at: Rob@StartaWildFire.com.

Zondervan Names New Senior Acquisitions Editor

Grand Rapids, MI - Stan Gundry, SVP and Editor-in-Chief for Zondervan, recently announced the promotion of Madison Trammel to Senior Acquisitions Editor for Digital, Reference, and Reflective titles. Trammel will work within Zondervan’s Church, Academic, Reference, and Reflective (CARR) publishing group, which is led by Gundry.

 

Trammel has been a part of Zondervan’s editorial team since January 2011, when he began as Acquisitions Editor in the CARR Publishing Group. He is a graduate of Multnomah Bible College with a double major in Biblical Studies and Journalism. In 2004, he received an MA in Christian History and Theology from Wheaton College. Previous to joining Zondervan, Trammel was a writer/editor and editorial supervisor at Wycliffe Bible Translators, an editorial intern with InterVarsity Press, an associate editor with Christianity Today, and an acquisitions editor for Moody Publishers.

 

Trammel will serve as the lead acquisition editor in the Reflective category, and will oversee Zondervan’s Reference publishing. He will also give editorial direction to the group’s Digital publishing initiatives.

 

About Zondervan:  Zondervan is a world-leading Bible publisher and provider of Christian communications. Zondervan, as part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., delivers transformational Christian experiences through its bestselling Bibles, books, curriculum, academic resources and digital products. The Company’s products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan offices are located in Grand Rapids, MI. For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com.

United Methodist Publishing House Celebrates New Headquarters

(Nashville, TN) – The United Methodist Publishing House (UMPH) celebrated the dedication of its new campus in Nashville’s MetroCenter with a special ceremony on July 28th. Keeping its long established roots in vibrant Nashville, Tennessee, the company, previously located in the heart of downtown on 8th Avenue South directly across from the Music City Center, has relocated to its modern and technology rich 2222 Rosa L. Parks Boulevard address.

 

Known to some area residents as the old Fountain Square Mall complex, the publisher honored the environment and the local community by repurposing the pre-existing structure into the newly renovated John Dickins House main building. Named after historic people and places within the Methodist movement, the office building resides on the New House Commons campus along the banks of Lake Wesley and features the Georgia Harkness Library. The interior design utilizes historic artifacts such as old hand presses and early manuscripts of theological texts in a state-of-the-art facility that demonstrates the publisher’s forward-thinking mindset which serves as a continual catalyst to meeting the needs of the ever-changing Christian community which it serves.

 

Nashville’s Mayor Karl Dean spoke at the dedication ceremony and noted that “Nashville’s history as a magnet for publishing – whether religious publishers, music publishers or print publishers – has given us an edge as a creative, entrepreneurial city. The United Methodist Publishing House is an important asset for Nashville, and I appreciate all that they do to represent our city across the country. And I appreciate the investment they’re making right here in Nashville.”

 

Other special guests in attendance included UMPH board members, former board chairs, and William McAlilly, the Nashville Area UMC bishop.

 

“As we celebrate the dedication of the New House Commons Campus and The John Dickins House, we also rededicate ourselves to the on-going mission and ministry of the United Methodist Publishing House.  We find ourselves in a new place, with new technologies, telling an ‘old, old story’ that still has relevance for today. It is an exciting time to be a part of this ministry of God's church,” shared Rev. R. Carl Frazier, Jr. who serves as chair of the Board of Directors for UMPH and lead pastor at First United Methodist Church in Cary, North Carolina.

 

“It is an honor to dedicate our beautiful new facility to the mission of reaching more people in more places with the good news of Jesus Christ,” added President and Publisher Neil M. Alexander.

 

About UMPH

Located in Nashville, the United Methodist Publishing House (UMPH) is a publisher and distributor to Christian clergy and laity, with primary responsibilities for the publishing and distribution for The United Methodist Church. The Publishing House is a fully self-supporting agency and receives no general church funds. UMPH develops, produces, and distributes materials ranging from academic monographs to Bibles, biblical reference works, Christian formation curriculum, several genres of books, and a wide variety of other print, digital and multimedia resources, and church supplies. UMPH currently generates approximately $65 million in annual revenue from its primary channels: Cokesbury, the retail division, consisting of an Internet store, a telephone contact center, and approximately fifty field sales staff in various regions of the U.S., and Abingdon Press, the main publishing imprint, which offers print and digital books, study materials, Bibles and Bible study aids, clergy resources. They also publish the Common English Bible. Visit them online at UMPH.org.

 

About Abingdon Press

Abingdon Press is the publishing imprint for The United Methodist Publishing House and has a tradition of crossing denominational boundaries with thought-provoking and enjoyable books. It has a commitment to providing the best, most effective religious publications available which include a wide array of quality Christian living, fiction, devotional, academic, professional, and reference titles published each year to enrich church communities across the globe. Visit them online at AbingdonPress.com.

 

About Cokesbury

Founded in 1789, Cokesbury is the retail arm of The United Methodist Publishing House a publisher and distributor to the greater Christian community. Their mission is to provide quality and relevant resources and services, at the best possible price, that help people know God through Jesus Christ, love God, and choose to serve God and neighbor. Cokesbury consists of a Customer Contact Center, numerous catalogs, Cokesbury.com, a team of Community Resource Consultants, and an events group. Visit them online at Cokesbury.com.

 

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THE JESUS AGENDA: Becoming An Agent of Redemption

"The Jesus Agenda is the vision for Christ’s ministry on earth as He outlined it in His first sermon recorded in the Gospel of Luke. Simply put, Jesus came to redeem the lost—not just for eternity in Heaven but from lives of darkness here on earth. This is the Jesus agenda - preaching good news to the poor, proclaiming freedom for the prisoners, recovering sight for the blind, releasing the oppressed, and proclaiming the year of the Lord’s favor. I believe every redeemed person—that is, every Christian—is called to become an agent of redemption. The Jesus agenda is not for the few. It is the responsibility and privilege of every believer."          Dr. Albert Reyes     Finding Your Place in God’s Movement   Dr. Albert Reyes serves as the CEO of Buckner International, a global Christian ministry focused on serving vulnerable children, orphans, seniors, and their families.  In his new book, The Jesus Agenda, Reyes explores the blueprint for ministry laid out in Jesus’ first sermon recorded in the Gospel of Luke. The directions are clear. To be like Jesus, we must become, first and foremost, agents of redemption.  Jesus came to redeem the lost—not just secure their eternity in Heaven but deliver them from darkness here on earth.

“I used to think serving vulnerable children, orphans and seniors was not my job or within my scope of ministry. I guess I had not read my Bible very well,” Reyes recalls. “In my mindset, social ministry and evangelism were mutually exclusive. As I have grown as a follower of Jesus, I’ve come to realize that the practical impact of the gospel and the gospel message of salvation cannot be separated. It is two sides of the same coin. Personal faith in Jesus as your redeemer goes far beyond solving the spiritual problem we have with sin. This is the Jesus agenda - preaching good news to the poor, proclaiming freedom for the prisoners, recovering sight for the blind, releasing the oppressed, and proclaiming the year of the Lord’s favor. It is the ministry to which every Christian is called.”

The Jesus Agenda confronts western Christians living in relative prosperity and comfort with detailed accounts of the desperate circumstances plaguing “the least of these” around the world. What is God’s heart for the fatherless in the global village? What should our response be to the 60,000 unaccompanied and undocumented minors that came to our border in 2014 seeking a better life? How does an agent of redemption reconcile the reality of life in the West with life in the developing world when it comes to matters of faith and action?   “I want readers to prayerfully consider this question: How would your profession or vocational skills benefit the poor, those in prison, the physically challenged, and those who are oppressed in your community? “Reyes says. “You have been placed where you are for a reason. You have a role to play in someone’s redemption story.”   **********     A Brief Q & A with Dr. Albert Reyes     Q: What inspired you to write The Jesus Agenda?   A: Looking back over my own ministry roles, from pastoring in economically depressed areas, to expanding educational opportunities to Hispanics, to heading a global relief ministry, the Lord sent me to places where I would have ample opportunity to preach good news to the poor, to help set captives free, to help people find healing, to reverse situations of oppression, and to introduce the hope of the Lord’s favor for their lives. I chose to write this book because I wanted to tell my story of redemption and encourage followers of Jesus to accept their commission as agents of redemption.    I first delivered this challenge in 2005 as I addressed the Baptist General Convention of Texas, comprised of 5,500 churches and 23 institutions (universities, hospital systems, human welfare agencies, and other affiliated ministries). My year as President of Texas Baptists came to a close, but the message of the Jesus Agenda continued to stir my spirit.  Does the church that Jesus died for reflect the vision of His first sermon?   Today, I serve as President and CEO of Buckner International based in Dallas, Texas, a global multi-service ministry focused on making life better for vulnerable children, orphans, seniors and their families through redemptive transformation. Every day, I hear stories of redemption. I live with the conviction that I was blessed to bless others, saved to share with others, and redeemed for a purpose in God’s story of redemption.   Q: Describe the qualities of an “agent of redemption.”   A: An agent of redemption is a person of courage, compassion, and conviction on mission with Jesus to turn what was intended for harm into good. An agent of redemption has a personal calling to actively engage with people in his or her circle of influence to demonstrate a transformed life and to work, pray, and focus on the redemptive potential in everyone around him.  They look at their family, neighborhood, community, state, nation, and world to ask, “How could this place look more like the Kingdom of God - right here, right now?” Then they take action. This person lives life in view of eternity.   **********     Dr. Reyes is available for interviews. Please contact Diane Morrow Diane@BarnabasAgency.com             The Jesus Agenda  by Dr. Albert Reyes Believers Press/ May 2015 www.jesusagenda.org           For more than 136 years, Buckner International has been transforming lives through hands-on ministry, serving the most vulnerable from the beginning to the ending of life. Buckner is one of the oldest and most unique faith-based social service organizations of its kind, serving people each year in the United States and worldwide.

Christian-Fiction Readers Buy, Read More Books

Christian-Fiction Readers Buy, Read More Books, Creating Bookstore Opportunities

ORLANDO, FLA. - Christian fiction readers read more than the national average and are more frequent book buyers, which creates a core customer opportunity for Christian stores. Nearly 50% of Christian-fiction readers read more than 10 books annually; by comparison, only 36% of American adults read more than 10 books per year, according to a 2014 Pew Research study. Christian Fiction Readers: Worthy Pursuing, Worth Keeping, a reader survey conducted through a cooperative effort of CBA, The Parable Group, The Baker Publishing Group, and American Christian Fiction Writers, supports that finding and adds that half of responding Christian fiction readers are purchasing more titles today than five years ago, but buying and reading behaviors have changed. Trade paperbacks are still the most popular format for readers at 41% despite what some may presume is the age of digital dominance, with 28% of Christian fiction readers responding that they read on e-books or digital formats. Readers also choose mass-market paperbacks (16%) and hardcover (12%). Audio book preference was noted by 2% of respondents. The reader survey showed that top sales drivers for Christian fiction are the story itself (94%), the desire to keep reading a story in a series (69%), recommendations about a book (68%), and author familiarity (89%). Those findings can inform retailers, publishers, authors, marketers, and all levels of the industry. The top Christian fiction genres reported by surveyed readers were historical fiction (66%), romance (52%), contemporary (51%), romantic suspense (50%), suspense/thriller/legal thriller (47%), and mystery/espionage (45%), which also reveals that many Christian fiction readers read more than one genre. The majority of Christian fiction readers responding (69%) also read general-market fiction. Of Christian fiction readers who read both types, about half said annual general-market purchases haven't changed over the past five years, but 36% said annual purchases have increased. Nearly 80% of respondents shop at a local Christian store because they like the concept of a Christian store, appreciate its atmosphere, and like the selection. Respondents said they would purchase more books at a Christian store if prices were lower, book selection was better, or the store were more conveniently located. David Lewis, Baker Publishing Group marketing and sales VP, said Christian-fiction readers are the most frequent book buyers and are heavily engaged in Christian stories. "Christian stores should not give these customers up. They are worth fighting for." Cynthia Ruchti, an award-winning fiction author and American Christian Fiction Writers professional liaison, said fiction readers are real fans, but their interests range beyond just the most popular genres. "What matters to readers is the story itself," she said. "That suggests a broader selection of genres help create a destination in the store for fiction readers. It's important to understand the opportunity to present a broader appeal to fiction readers who are often going elsewhere to purchase books." Randy Ross, The Parable Group marketing specialist involved in conducting the study said helping readers discover new authors and series is a key consideration in the age of e-books.  "Selection and knowledgeable staff are important issues to consider when building a fiction statement in the store." Curtis Riskey, CBA president, said the fact that Christian fiction is read for entertainment doesn't lessen the value of Christian product. "Readers are looking for clean, faith-driven content that makes a difference in their lives. Christian retailers can help make that connection to great stories," he said. The online survey received nearly 1500 responses with a confidence level in the responses at +/- 2.6%. The complete survey with more points of interest to the retail and publishing industries may be downloaded at www.CBAonline.org/FictionTrends. Jet Marketing of Grand Rapids, MI, produced the research, which was co-sponsored by the American Christian Fiction Writers, CBA, Baker Publishing Group, and The Parable Group.

HOW MUCH DO YOU CARE ABOUT TODAY'S YOUNG PEOPLE?

Doable, Cost-Effective, Leading Edge… Life Changing.

"We can bring the Gospel to a generation that is literally dying without it. An invasion of truth that interrupts the lives of people ages 15-25, in a venue they use every day. This unique strategy—to “go into all the world and preach the good news to all” by leveraging mainstream media and technology—is doable, cost-effective, and cutting edge. More importantly, it’s working."      –Sean Dunn

Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX—Today’s young people suffer from unprecedented levels of depression, anxiety, pressure, loneliness, and desperation for approval. For many, one nagging question motivates every social media post, short-sighted decision, and attempt to self-harm: Does anyone really care about me?   At JesusCares.com, teens and young adults from across the globe find comfort, guidance, and the answers they desperately seek.  An initiative of Groundwire, JesusCares.com follows and expands the remarkably effective model that has touched millions of young viewers and listeners since 2006. Using a multi-pronged strategy, Groundwire leverages media and technology to meet the age 15-25 demographic exactly where they are — viewing, listening, texting, or chatting — and to invite them to voice their questions and struggles so they can find answers in the message of the Gospel. Young people listening to popular radio broadcasts or viewing favorite shows on networks like CW, MTV, VH1, Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim programming, and Comedy Central are interrupted by direct advertising spots that catch their attention, resonating with where they are today.   The JesusCares.com initiative includes targeted, authentic, and well-produced commercials that grab the attention of young viewers and listeners by the millions. As they respond to the broadcast messages, they are invited to visit the JesusCares.com website where they can chat with a live spiritual coach available day and night, as well as find a collection of resources such as podcasts by Groundwire’s founder and executive director, Sean Dunn, and daily devotionals.   “Statistics indicate that 86% of teens believe in God, but most don’t believe He is loving. Even fewer believe they are lovable. What if this generation truly understood and responded to God’s offer of hope, truth, and purpose?” Dunn asks.   Since 2006, Groundwire has interacted with broken and searching youth on thousands of live chats. Students are drawn to the honest dialogue about spiritual issues, often receiving Christ as their Savior as a result of the coaches’ ministry. Coaches then do their best to connect visitors to local churches and resources where they can continue to grow in their faith. JesusCares.com looks to grow Groundwire’s reach in contemporary culture.   “Today’s younger generation hungers for a real and personal relationship with the Living God. And that really transcends culture. Unfortunately, a common misconception many older Christians have about young people is that they only desire interaction with others who are young like them and are products of the same culture,” Dunn says. “The truth is that this group is desperately in need of intergenerational connection. They crave it. The Jesus Cares initiative has already shown us that, when we make ourselves available to listen and respond, young people cling to that, and they are willing—even eager—to share their burdens and receive the Good News we offer.”   Hundreds of volunteers from around the world form a team that offers coaching 24 hours a day, and that number must increase alongside launches of the ministry in new locations. JesusCares.com is seeking coaches of all ages and backgrounds to be available when young seekers respond to the TV and radio ads.   JesusCares.com is rapidly expanding, having arrived in Colorado Springs and Chicago during the first and second quarters of 2015. The initiative launched in South Bend, Indiana this summer and fundraising efforts are underway to support upcoming launches in Dallas, Tampa, and Denver this fall.   To bring JesusCares to your community or to sign up as a coach, go to www.JesusCares.com.

THE GLOBAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

New Life. New Vision. New Hope. Creating Flourishing Churches through Inspired Leadership   The most important mission of any Christian church, ministry or organization is to impact those in their sphere of influence for Christ - to see God’s kingdom life transforming individuals, families and communities for his glory.  Vital to that successful mission is the presence of inspired and effective leadership. According to Schwammlein, a ministry veteran himself, “Leadership is the one gift that allows all of the other gifts to flourish, yet because of their critical role, ministry leaders and their leadership teams are prime targets for burn-out, discouragement and “vision loss”, yielding men and women who are often merely going through the motions of daily service.”

An independent study commissioned by WCA following last year’s Summit, and conducted by Excellence in Giving based in Colorado Springs, quantitatively revealed that The Global Leadership Summit (TGLS) is having a significant impact in revitalizing leaders, clarifying vision, enhancing team communication and improving productivity and quality of work – yielding more effective ministry and enhanced community influence.

With a very reliable 3% margin of error and 99% confidence level, repeat participants reported 4 direct outcomes from attending TGLS.   Church Growth – 35% say that their organization has “grown larger because of leadership skills, vision, or inspiration received from attending the Summit.   Spiritual Revitalization – 1 out of 4 reported a revitalized personal relationship with God.   Community Impact – 54% cited concrete ways they were inspired to help their communities by 1) serving the poor 2) helping youth 3) comforting the hurting 4) education and 5) fighting injustice.   Energized Evangelism - 1 out of 4 reported that the Summit “inspired them to share the gospel in the past two years”. Actual results from those efforts were reported and divided into two categories: Repeat participants who were inspired to share the gospel reported 38 first-time commitments to Christ on average Repeat participants who were primarily church leaders reported 54 first-time commitments to Christ on average.   “The Global Leadership Summit has proven to catalyze the leader within each of us, to make us better leaders, and to unite us around a common vision,” states founder Bill Hybels. “We believe the local church is the hope of the world – when it is working right.  For churches to reach their full redemptive potential, they must be led well. It’s our prayer that the Summit will continue to inspire passionate leaders toward that end.”   The Global Leadership Summit August 6-7, 2015     Register at a Premier Host Site Location Call 800-570-9812 for details and registration assistance.

Notes: Writing to Encourage Others

Maybe you have bemoaned the so-called lost art of letter or note. Well don’t despair; there is still a place for the encouragers pen. Jennifer Dierking had always written notes but drifted away from the practice until a near fatal accident birthed the gift within her once more.

Jennifer sent a note to the singer/songwriter whose song sustained her while on a ventilator fighting for life, and in the painful weeks of rehabilitation that followed. God allowed the note to reach the songwriter at a time of crisis in his life, as he later shared with Jennifer.

His response to her caused the note writing spark to grow into a gleaming conviction of God’s purpose for her life. In fact, Jennifer describes her notes as,”equivalent to offering a cup of cold water to someone who may need it.”

She also believes notes are of inestimable value because “they satisfy a universal longing to be appreciated.”

 

This priceless treasury contains notes first of all to help us break away from excuses that keep us from using our written words to encourage others. Next, we are given a whole range of people to whom we may send a note and last, a writing prompt to help us figure out what to write. Notes: Writing to Encourage Others is a perfect example of God using all the gifts to build and bind his family together.

Mother, wife, freelance writer, editor, and consultant for the University of South Alabama’s Center for Healthy Communities, Jennifer Dierking resides in Mobile Alabama. Notes is a publication of Evergreen Press, Mobile Alabama.

Jennifer was interviewed at ICRS 2015 by WIN reporter Lauren E. Myers.

DO WE REALLY BELIEVE THIS?

DO WE REALLY BELIEVE THIS?

Nothing can touch us that is not God's will for our life. When we are surrendered and believe in Him and His purposes, when we continue to trust and obey God, then we can rest in His keeping power over our lives. (Isaiah 26:3)

God's Will is working in the omnipotence for me all the time, with nothing to prevent it I am surrendered and believing.

It doesn't matter how unjust a thing may be that happens to me, or how absolutely it may seem to come straight from the devil. Why?

Because by the time that it reaches me, it is God's will for me at this time in my life and He will work it together for good in my life.

"For ALL things work together for good to them that love God" (Romans 8:28)

Can we believe that all the attacks that Satan throws our way through other people's sin, those due to sickness and disease, or what comes by accidents or calamity, are powerless to harm us?

And somehow/somewhere on our journey, God has promised that all of these hard to understand things that He has allowed to touch our lives, will be turned into blessing.

Like Jesus said to those who would harm him, "You haven't a shred of authority [power] over me except what has been given you from heaven" (John 19:11).

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR NEW HOPE?

Are you looking for new HOPE?
Are you hoping for new possibilities?
Are you willing to work for change?
Are you stepping up to be the change?
Change begins when we see the HOPE in a thing.


HOPE always sees new possibilities.
It sees what ought to be but is not yet.
HOPE isn't satisfied with the way things are.
It does not believe this is "as good as it gets."


Instead, HOPE believes for a better tomorrow.
HOPE embraces all who are willing to make a difference.


Psalm 42:5 - I will put my HOPE in God! I will praise him again--
Psalm 119:49 - Remember your promise to me; it is my only HOPE.
Psalm 119:74 - May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my HOPE in your word.
Proverbs 13:12 - HOPE deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.


Romans 15:4 - And the Scriptures give us HOPE and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled.
Romans 15:13 - I pray that God, the source of HOPE, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident HOPE through the power of the Holy Spirit. 
1 Timothy 4:10 - This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our HOPE is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.
Hebrews 10:23 - Let us hold tightly without wavering to the HOPE we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

When You Ask God To Bless Others Or Yourself

WHEN GOD COMES WITH BLESSINGS

God's blessing is the active presence of God in our circumstances. And when God comes, His hands are never empty. They are full of the blessings and gifts we need to face life and to live it to the full.

However, are you looking for the wrong things when you seek God's blessings?
Here are some things you need to know:

1. A blessing is a GIFT that touches life and its mystery.
2. God's blessings are not always finances or material resources.
3. Sometimes we receive the gift of God's presence.
4. It may be the gift of FAITH.
5. Perseverance, Peace, and Hope are also gifts.
6. God's blessings may come as Deliverance, Help, and Provision.
7. A blessings rarely comes to us because we demand it.
8. A blessing (Gift) is the surprise from God that makes life full.

The Aaronic (Priestly) Blessing is found in Numbers 6:24-26:

God bless you and keep you.
God smile on you and gift you.
God look you full in the face and make you prosper.

A blessing is a way of asking God's divine favor to rest upon others. The 5 parts in the priestly blessing show the hope that God would: (1) bless and protect them; (2) smile on them (be pleased); (3) be gracious (merciful and compassionate); (4) show his favor toward them (give his approval);  (5) give peace.

When you ask God to bless others or yourself you are asking him to do these 5 things. The blessing will not only help the one receiving it, it will also demonstrate love, encourage others, and provide a model of caring for others.

WHAT YOU WATCH ON TV, COMPUTER, OR SOCIAL MEDIA HAS A LOT TO SAY ABOUT YOUR AGE AND WHO YOU ARE.

WHAT YOU WATCH ON TV, COMPUTER, OR SOCIAL MEDIA HAS A LOT TO SAY ABOUT YOUR AGE AND WHO YOU ARE.

Barna Research Group brings us this interesting report -- the result of a nationwide online study conducted February 3 to February 11, 2015. The survey included 1,000 adults 18 and older.

There are notable differences when it comes to watching news and sports: Elders are more likely than younger generations to report regularly viewing these genres. Also significant are the differences between practicing Christians (who attended at least one church service during the past month and say their faith is very important in their lives), non-practicing Christians (who self-identify as Christian but do not qualify as “practicing”) and those of other faiths or none. According to the new research, each of the four adult generations reports a TV top-three list unique to their content and delivery preferences. 

 

For example, the top shows watched by Elders (Americans 69 years and older) are all dramas aired on one of the “Big Four” television networks: ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox. Forty-four percent of Elders report watching NCIS (CBS), one-third say they watch Person of Interest (CBS, 33%) or Criminal Minds (CBS, 33%), and about one-quarter regularly watch Castle (ABC, 23%).

By contrast, Millennials (ages 18 to 30) watch a combination of comedies, dramas and “dramedies” that air on network, cable or Internet streaming services. One in four young adults say they watch The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 25%), and one in five watch Criminal Minds (21%), The Walking Dead (AMC, 21%) or Orange Is the New Black (Netflix, 20%).

Gen-Xers (ages 31 to 49) share with Millennials an affinity for The Big Bang Theory (26%) and The Walking Dead (25%), while Boomers (ages 50 to 68) split their loyalties between the younger generations’ preference for Big Bang (34%) and the Elders’ favorite, NCIS (36%).

What do they all have in common? At least one in five adults among every age group watches Criminal Minds, the police procedural that follows an elite squad of FBI specialists who profile the country’s most disturbing criminals. One-third of Elders (33%), one in four Boomers (24%), and one in five Gen-Xers (19%) and Millennials (20%) report regularly watching Criminal Minds.

There is also measurable disparity in the amount of time each generation reports spending in front of the TV (or viewing TV programming on another screen). While a majority among all ages says they turn on the TV seven days a week (Elders 93%, Boomers 83%, Gen-Xers 69%, Millennials 52%), young adults are far more likely than older Americans to say they don’t turn it on at all.

Older Americans’ preference for traditional media extends beyond entertainment to information acquisition, as well. Twice as many Elders (41%) as Gen-Xers (21%) and Millennials (20%) say they turn to network television at least a few times a day to get new information. The proportions are reversed when it comes to getting new information via digital tech:

• Millennials (40%) and Gen-Xers (42%) are twice as likely as Elders (22%) to say they use websites at least a few times a day to get new information.
• Millennials (36%) are three times as likely as Elders (12%) to use social media at least a few times a day to stay informed.
• Millennials (49%) are nearly four times as likely as Elders (13%) to use a mobile or smart phone to access new information.

For charts, details, and the rest of the story, go to The Barna Group Website, May 20, 2015: https://www.barna.org/barna-update/media-watch/720-network-cable-streaming-what-americans-are-watching-in-2015